A NEW multi-million pound retail and leisure park at Stanway would be called Tollgate Village, it has been revealed.

Tollgate Partnership Limited has unveiled plans to develop 20 acres of land it owns, including on the former Sainsbury’s site and land opposite Curry’s/PC World.

If it gets permission from Colchester Council, the firm’s directors Daniel Watts and Jayne Gee, say it will create 1,000 jobs and a community space where people can work, shop and meet.

It also claims it will provide a significant financial boost to the area bringing an estimated £13.7m to the local economy.

A public exhibition is being staged next week to showcase the scheme and get feedback from the public.

Mr Watts said: “Hundreds of homes have been built in Stanway and hundreds more are planned.

“There needs to be somewhere those residents can go to work or to socialise.

“The name Tollgate Village embodies what we hope to create, a social hub for the growing community of Stanway and a sense of place for the wider borough.”

Ms Gee added the partnership was mindful of a Stanway Parish Council wishlist, drawn up with residents, which includes a cinema, more shops and restaurants.

She added: “We are hoping for an excellent turnout at the exhibition so we can share our vision for Tollgate and get as many opinions as possible to inform our plans.”

The exhibition aims to gather residents’ views before an outline planning application is submitted in the new year.

The event will be held at Unit 5, Tollgate Business Park on Friday, December 5, from 2pm to 7pm, and on Saturday, December 6, from 10am to 4pm.